Elastic cord

ABSTRACT

An elastic cord comprising an elongated string having a first end and an opposite second end. An outer cover is formed from polymer material such as an air permeable, hydrophobic wicking fiber material. The outer cover may be formed of a recycled material. The outer cover surrounds an elastic core. The elastic core can be made of a polymer or a rubber material. The core material may be formed from a recycled material.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/239,670, filed on Sep. 3, 2009, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to elastic cords and apparatuses andmethods for securing two or more objects, or portions thereof, inproximity with one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior shoelaces have been made of absorbent materials such as cotton andother hydrophilic materials. A problem with these materials is that theyattract liquid from the environment and perspiration from the user'sbody instead of wicking the moisture away. In the case of elastic priorart shoelaces, an elastic rubber core is surrounded by an absorbentouter cover. When the outer cover absorbs fluids and sweat, especiallyduring athletic activity, the rubber core may become brittle and looseits elastic properties. Additionally, when prior art elastic shoelacesare washed and dried, heat can cause the rubber inner core todeteriorate.

Articles which each employ a lacing system to releasably secure two ormore portions of the article in proximity with one another have longrequired that the user tie together the free end portions of a lacewhich has been threaded through a plurality of eyelets in respectiveportions of the article. In footwear, for example, the lace typically isfirst threaded through eyelets in respective halves of an upper portionof the footwear, and the halves are synched together by pulling upon thefree end portions of the threaded lace. Once the halves have beensynched together as desired the user ties together the free end portionsof the lace to prevent the upper portion halves from spreading apart,thereby securing the footwear to the foot. While alternativeconfigurations are known which do not employ a threaded lace toreleasably secure two or more portions of an article together, footwearand other articles which employ such a lacing system remain popular formany reasons, including their ability to firmly and adjustably secureportions of the subject article together.

Unfortunately, many articles which employ one or more laces for thesepurposes put the user to the inconvenience of having to tie the free endportions of the threaded lace together to maintain a secure fit duringuse of the article. Often, the free end portions become untiedinadvertently, causing the user inconvenience and creating a potentiallyhazardous condition should the user step upon one of the free endportions while walking or running. Where time is critical, such as forexample during athletic competition, the burden of retying the loosefree end portions of a shoe lace can prove to be detrimental. To preventlace from becoming untied during use, multiple knots often are used totie together the free end portions, which in turn further complicatesthe process of untying the free end portions and removing the footwearwhen desired. Moreover, for those who lack the ability or inclination totie and untie the free end portions of the lace, footwear whichincorporates a lace configuration may not be feasible or appealing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes and addresses disadvantages of priorart constructions and methods, and it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved elastic cord formed from a polymerouter cover and an elastic polymer core surrounded by the polymer outercover.

In one preferred embodiment, an elastic cord comprises a first end, anopposite second end, an outer cover formed from an air permeable,hydrophobic wicking fiber material, and an elastic core. In someembodiments, the outer cover is formed from a polymer weave. In otherembodiments, the core is formed from an elastic polymer. In yet otherembodiments, the elastic polymer is formed from Lycra®. In still otherembodiments, the elastic core is formed from a plurality of groupedstrands. In some of these embodiments, the elastic cord is between 18-30inches long. In other of these embodiments, the elastic cord is morethan 30 inches in length. In still other embodiments, a lockingmechanism is adapted to releasably receive the elastic cord so that aportion of the elastic cord forms a loop between the first end and thesecond end of the elastic cord, the locking mechanism being adapted toallow for the adjustment of the length of the loop. In yet otherembodiments, the locking mechanism further comprises a body and a wheel,wherein the wheel is slidably received by the body so as to releasablysecure the elastic cord within the body.

In yet another preferred embodiments, an elastic cord comprises anelongated string having first end and an opposite second end, an outercover formed from recycled polymer material, and an elastic core. Insome embodiments, the outer cover is formed from an air permeable,hydrophobic wicking fiber weave. In other embodiments, the elastic coreis an elastic polymer. In still other embodiments, the elastic core isformed from Lycra®. In yet other embodiments, the elastic core is formedfrom a recycled polymer.

In still another preferred embodiment, an article of footwear comprisesa sole, an upper portion connected to said sole and defining a pluralityof eyelets, an elastic cord comprising a first end, a second end, anouter cover formed from an air permeable, hydrophobic wicking fibermaterial, and an elastic polymer core wherein the elastic cord has alength sufficient to be threaded through the plurality of eyelets, and aflange located at a first side of the plurality of eyelets proximate atoe portion of the upper portion, the flange defining a recessedportion, wherein when the elastic cord is secured, at least one loop isformed adjacent a second side of the plurality of eyelets distal fromthe toe portion, and the at least one loop is received by the flangerecessed portion.

In other embodiments, the outer cover is formed from a recycled polymer.In still other embodiments, the outer cover is formed from a polymerweave. In yet other embodiments, the outer cover is formed from recycledplastic bottles. In other embodiments, the core is formed from Lycra®.In still other embodiments, the elastic polymer core is formed from aplurality of grouped strands.

Various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed elements, aswell as methods of utilizing same, which are discussed in detail below,provide other objects, features and aspects of the present invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments ofshoelaces of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the shoelaces, including the best modethereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth inthe specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a shoelace in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a cross-section view of the shoelace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a cross-section view of the shoelace shown in FIG. 1 shown ina stretched orientation;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the shoelace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of a shoe which incorporates apreferred lacing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention using the shoelace of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a component part of the apparatus ofFIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the component part of FIG. 5 takenalong line 6,6 in FIG. 5.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elementsof the invention according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodimentsof the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation,not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in thepresent invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.For instance, features illustrated or described as part of oneembodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still furtherembodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers suchmodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

Referring to FIG. 1, an elastic string 10 is shown having an outer cover12 which surrounds an inner core 14. Elastic string 10 is stretchablefrom a rest state 14 (shown as a solid line in FIG. 1) to an elongatedstate 14′ (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 1). Referring to FIGS. 2A and2B, string 10 is shown having a outer cover 12 and inner core 14 formedfrom a plurality of strands 16. In its normal state, string 10 has arest diameter d1, and a decreased diameter d2 when in a stretched state.Thus, as shown in dashed line in FIG. 1, when sufficient forces areapplied to string 10, core 14 stretches and its diameter decreases. Eachend of elastic string 10 is terminated in an aglet (not shown), which ismade of a hard plastic material to keep outer cover 12 from fraying.

Referring to FIG. 3, outer cover 12 is formed from a plurality ofintertwined fiber threads 18 having a plurality of spaces 20 that forman extendible web. When string 10 is stretched, threads 18 extend sothat spaces 20 are created between threads 18. Thus, outer cover 12extends along with inner core 14 when string 10 is stretched. Whenstring 10 is returned to a rest state, outer cover 12 returns to a restposition and spaces 20 close.

Outer cover fiber threads 12 are preferably formed from an airpermeable, hydrophobic, tetra-channel, wicking fiber material such asCoolmax® and Coolmax® EcoMade® sold by Dupont. Other suitablehydrophobic wicking fibers may be used such as a hollow-core,hydrophobic wicking fiber sold as Thermolite® by Dupont may be used.These types of fiber materials wick away moisture and trap warm air inits hollow-core fibers. Other suitable types of fibers, such as aTeflon® or polytetrafluoroethylene fiber material may be used dependingon the application.

Air permeable, hydrophobic, tetra-channel fibers may be used to wickaway moisture from core 14 and reduce friction against the skin as thelace moves during exercise. Hydrophobic fibers such as those used in theCoolmax® fabric transport water away from the core to an outer layer,where the large surface area of the tetra-channel fibers allow themoisture to evaporate quickly. Simultaneously, the fiber materialprovides great breathability or air permeability, even when wet.Finally, these types of fibers resist abrasions and deterioration due torubbing against other items. In some embodiments, the fibers are madefrom recycled plastic bottles. In one preferred embodiment, the outercover 12 is formed from 100% Coolmax®. In other embodiments, cover 12may be formed from a blend of Coolmax® and nylons and other suitablematerials.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2B, core strands 16 have traditionally beenformed from a rubber material. In the present invention, core strands 16are formed from a elastic polymer material. In one preferred embodiment,the elastic polymer is Lycra® manufactured by Dupont. Lycra® has anumber of advantages over rubber materials, including but not limited tobeing lightweight, breathable, quick drying, and resistant to bacteria,ultraviolet rays and chlorine. Lycra® is quick drying and is easilydyable. Lycra® is able to expand up to 600% and spring back withoutlosing its integrity. Thus, Lycra® offers many improvements over priorart rubber materials, which may dry out and become brittle, loose itsstretching properties and cannot be dyed.

In some embodiments, the elastic polymer is formed from recycled plasticmaterials. In one preferred embodiment, core strands 16 each having adiameter of about 0.025 inches. However, it should be understood thatstrands 16 may be grouped together in groups of various sizes. Forexample, strands 16 may be made of three groups of five strands each,and may be grouped together by an adhesive or other means or may simplybe held together by outer cover 12. In one preferred embodiment, string10 has an outer diameter of approximately 3/25 inches when at rest and alength of about 18-30 inches. This allows for a string that issufficient in length for most users.

Referring to FIG. 4, a shoe 110 is shown having a sole 112 and an upperfootwear portion 114 connected thereto. Upper footwear portion 114includes two flap portions 111 and 113, which in turn include aplurality of eyelets 116 so that portions 111 and 113 define a pluralityof apertures 118 through which a string, in the form of a shoelace, 10has been threaded. Referring to FIG. 5, string 10 has two free ends 122which, although not required, are proximate to the front end, i.e., theend opposite from the heel (not shown), of shoe 10. Free ends 122 areconnected to one another by a plastic clamp 124, thereby placing string10 in the form of a continuous loop.

String 10 is threaded through a mechanical locking fastener 126. Lockingfastener 126 receives the lace and is configured to releasably lock atleast two portions of string 10 in proximity with one another, tothereby secure the lace, and in turn the portions of footwear upperportion 114 through which the lace is threaded, together. A loop segment128 extends from fastener 126.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, clamp 124 is in the shape of an open-endedhollow cylinder formed from two halves 130 and 132, which are hingedtogether along respective longitudinal edges so as to pivot relative toone another about a longitudinal axis represented in FIG. 6 as pivotpoint P. Halves 130 and 132 may be clamped together by a snap fitprovided by beveled flanges 134 and 136 that extend longitudinally alongthe respective edges of halves 130 and 132 which are opposite the hingedconnection. Clamp 124 further comprises lace retention means in the formof a plurality of spiked flanges 138 which extend from an inner surface140 of the hollow cylinder formed by halves 130 and 132 into the space Swithin the hollow cylinder.

A secondary flange 142 extends out radially from an outer surface 141.In addition, half 130 defines two apertures 123 spaced apart by a bridgeportion 144 through which lace free ends 122 may be viewed. Flange 142is curved in cross-section to facilitate the retention of lace loopsegment 128. In this way, loop segment 128 may be retained to prevent itfrom dangling to the side of shoe 110, if desired. Alternatively, or inaddition, each free end 122 may be threaded through a respectiveaperture 123 and locked in place so as to retain string 10 in clamp 124.It will now be appreciated that the secondary flange may take on one ofmany forms, and such form is no limitation of this invention so long asthe secondary flange is capable of retaining the lace to prevent theloop segment from dangling to the side of the shoe.

While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are describedabove, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For example, thestring disclosed may be used in various other applications. It isintended that the present invention cover such modifications andvariations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claimsand their equivalents.

1. An elastic cord comprising: a. a first end, b. an opposite secondend, c. an outer cover formed from an air permeable, hydrophobic wickingfiber material; and d. an elastic core.
 2. The elastic cord of claim 1,wherein said outer cover is formed from an polymer weave.
 3. The elasticcord of claim 1, wherein said core is formed from an elastic polymer. 4.The elastic cord of claim 3, wherein said elastic polymer is formed fromLycra®.
 5. The elastic cord of claim 1, wherein said elastic core isformed from a plurality of grouped strands.
 6. The elastic cord of claim1, wherein said elastic cord is between 18-30 inches long.
 7. Theelastic cord of claim 1, wherein said elastic cord is more than 30inches in length.
 8. The elastic cord of claim 1, further comprising alocking mechanism adapted to releasably receive said elastic cord sothat a portion of said elastic cord forms a loop between said first endand said second end of said elastic cord, said locking mechanism beingadapted to allow for the adjustment of the length of said loop.
 9. Theelastic cord of claim 8, said locking mechanism further comprises a bodyand a wheel, wherein said wheel is slidably received by said body so asto releasably secure said elastic cord within said body.
 10. An elasticcord comprising: a. an elongated string having first end and an oppositesecond end; b. an outer cover formed from recycled polymer material; andc. an elastic core.
 11. The elastic cord of claim 10, wherein said outercover is formed from an air permeable, hydrophobic wicking fiber weave.12. The elastic cord of claim 10, wherein said elastic core is anelastic polymer.
 13. The elastic cord of claim 10, wherein said elasticcore is formed from Lycra®.
 14. The elastic cord of claim 10, whereinsaid elastic core is formed from a recycled polymer.
 15. An article offootwear comprising: a. a sole; b. an upper portion connected to saidsole and defining a plurality of eyelets; c. an elastic cord comprisingi. a first end, ii. a second end, iii. an outer cover formed from an airpermeable, hydrophobic wicking fiber material, and iv. an elasticpolymer core; wherein said elastic cord has a length sufficient to bethreaded through said plurality of eyelets; and d. a flange located at afirst side of said plurality of eyelets proximate a toe portion of saidupper portion, said flange defining a recessed portion; wherein whensaid elastic cord is secured, at least one loop is formed adjacent asecond side of said plurality of eyelets distal from said toe portion,and said at least one loop is received by said flange recessed portion.16. An article of footwear of claim 15, wherein said outer cover isformed from a recycled polymer.
 17. An article of footwear of claim 15,wherein said outer cover is formed from a polymer weave.
 18. An articleof footwear of claim 15, wherein said outer cover is formed fromrecycled plastic bottles.
 19. An article of footwear of claim 15,wherein said core is formed from Lycra®.
 20. An article of footwear ofclaim 15, wherein said elastic polymer core is formed from a pluralityof grouped strands.